Teenage sensation Maya Joint and Kimberly Birrell have spearheaded Australia to an opening-day win over Portugal within the Billie Jean King Cup play-offs in Hobart.
World quantity 95 Birrell bought previous quantity 255 Matilde Jorge 6-4 6-4 in Friday’s first singles match, earlier than Australia’s top-ranked girl Joint adopted swimsuit.
Quantity 32 Joint, who has surged up the rankings in 2025, beat 202-ranked Francisca Jorge 7-5 7-5 on the identical venue the place she made the Hobart Worldwide semi-finals in January.
Nineteen-year-old Joint, who has damaged via with two titles this season, was shaky early and had her serve damaged within the opening sport however regrouped, saving a break level at 4-4 within the second set earlier than breaking to win the ultimate sport.
“I used to be fairly nervous going into the match however it feels actually particular to win for Australia. It is a completely different feeling to successful a traditional match,” Joint stated.
“She got here out sturdy and I am simply glad that I discovered my rhythm in direction of the tip.
“I simply inform myself to play to win, do not play to not lose. Simply hold swinging for the ball.”
The 2 singles wins gave Australia an unassailable 2-0 lead over Portugal in Friday’s tie forward of the doubles fixture and put them atop Group E earlier than additional weekend motion.
The winner of Group E, that includes Australia, Portugal and Brazil, will make the qualifying spherical stage in April with spots within the September finals up for grabs.
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Portugal performs Brazil on Saturday, earlier than Australia meets Brazil on Sunday.
Birrell raced to a 5-1 lead within the opening set in opposition to Jorge earlier than persistent drizzle pressured play to be halted for about an hour.
She misplaced the following three video games, however regained her nerve to serve out the set 6-4.
Birrell broke for a 4-3 lead within the second set after a number of rain interruptions, earlier than once more closing it out 6-4.
“We had been ready for it, we noticed these darkish clouds coming in. I used to be capable of finding the steadiness of staying calm and staying centered,” Birrell stated.
Breaks off courtroom included assembly the brand new child of crew captain Sam Stosur, who’s on maternity depart however was watching from the stands.
“I attempted to not get too distracted by that. She’s very, very cute,” Birrell stated.
Australia had been runners-up in 2019 and 2022 within the Billie Jean King Cup and have not received the crew occasion since 1974 when it was referred to as the Fed Cup.
AAP
